Signal dropping out, HDCP Error?

[Shell]

Video signal keeps dropping out, a quick blink every 2-3 seconds.

I have an AppleTV via HDMI into the VSX-53 via HDMI into a HItachi P50H401 plasma panel.
There is nothing else connected aside from my surround speakers, and my amp for zone 2.

I can connect my laptop via hdmi to the panel and there is no dropout.
I can connect AppleTV directly to the panel, no dropout.
Both my laptop and AppleTV have video dropout when routed through the VSX-53. I have tried multiple inputs.

I suspect this might be HDCP error related but the message is no longer popping up.

Back when I had just a DVR connected to the 53, there was no dropout. However, that was using component cables.
For a short window of time, I had the dvr via component, and the AppleTV via hdmi, and I would receive the HDCP error message when I attempted to use the AppleTV. Now that I have eliminated the dvr and all component wiring, there's no HDCP error message just the blink every 2-3 seconds.

The HDMI indicator is lit and solid when trying to route through the receiver.

I have restored/updated the AppleTV. The 53 tells me it's firmware is current.

Please help me because the 53 is almost useless now that I have ditched cable and gone to streaming only. The only thing I use it for anymore is to stream Sirius satellite radio.

 

[Shell]

Update- I let the AppleTV sit on screensaver accidently until the panel went into sleep mode(ATV via HDMI directly to panel). Once I awakened it, the skip was back. Now it is both audio and video, instead of just video. I tried restarting the A-TV, and also cycled the panel and it made no difference. Now I'm not sure whether the skip is the fault of my VSX-53, or if the panel is causing it. This is getting hard to diagnose.

 

[Shell]

Should I move this post?

 

[TLS Guy]

Almost certainly this is an HDMI repeater error.

Have you tried a new HDMI cable to the receiver?

Now, we get this all the time. You must understand the difference between an HDMI transmitting device and an end device. The TV is an end device and only required to make one initial HDMI handshake. So you get far fewer problems.

Your receiver on the other hand receives and transmits, HDMI. The receiver is required to make repeated handshakes every few seconds, so called repeater HDMI architecture. This gives much more trouble, like you are finding out.

I have done research and can not find for sure, if Apple TV is HDCP certified, but I suspect it is not.

Your problem is all over the NET.

I see frequent reboots work, but there is no on off switch on the Apple device, so you have to unplug it.

Try starting your receiver and TV, and the power up the Apple TV. This seems to work for some. If not you are likely out of luck.

You should try a known certified device like a BD player or DVD player from a major manufacturer. If that works, then you know the Apple is a rogue non HDCP certified unit. From the problems I see on the Net, I suspect that to be the case. Your receiver and TV are certified.

 

[Shell]

I tried the AppleTV upstairs with my VSX-21TXH and Samsung HL67A750, works flawlessly.
I think the dropout may be due to a problem with the HDMI ports on the Hitachi panel. Will use a Roku downstairs since it has component ouptputs.
Thanks for the help.

 

[TLS Guy]

I tried the AppleTV upstairs with my VSX-21TXH and Samsung HL67A750, works flawlessly.
I think the dropout may be due to a problem with the HDMI ports on the Hitachi panel. Will use a Roku downstairs since it has component ouptputs.
Thanks for the help.

I doubt it is the Hitachi TV. It is much more likely to be the receiver. I suspect the downstairs receiver is just not tolerant of the Apple unit. It seems quite a few receivers object to those Apple units.